Green Technology Education Centre - Climate Distress Services

Welcome to GTEC

EDUCATION   SUSTAINABILITY   COMMUNITY

2023 Projects:

  • Climate Distress Services for Young People

    GTEC, along with the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance (MHCCA/SFU), and youth and young adults aged 16-24, are developing climate distress services to be delivered by GTEC at the False Creek Climate Response Centre and in digitally-based formats. The initial work of this partnership is supported by the Michael Smith Health Research Foundation.

  • Climate Response Centre on Granville Island

    The first of its kind in Canada, the Climate Response Centre on Granville Island is a scalable, multi-faceted resource serving the people of the False Creek area and the surrounding City of Vancouver community.

  • Enhancing the Resilience of Community Social Services in Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change

    This project entails collaboration with a pre-existing network of community-based organizations throughout BC operating under the umbrella of the Federation of Community Social Services of BC.


The Dirt on Farming and Land Use in BC

The GTEC Reader is published on this website and emailed to subscribers as a free access publication providing the community with a forum for information, dialogue and reflections about environmental issues.
> See Volume 4, Issue 4 — Articles this issue:

  1. The Dirt on Farming and Land Use in BC
  2. Review: Small Farm Futures
  3. Food Waste
  4. Gardens of Good Heart
  5. Soul Food
  6. Reflections Upon Food Insecurity
  7. What if… ? Recent Climate Fiction

Subscribe to the GTEC Reader here >


GTEC is…

A Model for Regenerative Urban Living and Healthy Community
in the Rapidly Changing World of the 21st Century

VISION: The Green Technology Education Centre is at the forefront of solutions to the social and environmental challenges of our time.

MISSION: GTEC informs, supports and activates communities in responding to the climate crisis.


GTEC’S OBJECTIVES ARE:

ONE Design, develop and present public education materials about green technology.

TWO Promote the adoption of green technologies through community education.

THREECollaborate with organizations that have similar objectives such as community agencies, universities and government departments.

Latest Greatest GTEC Blogs

COP28 Food and Climate Change Declaration

COP28 Food and Climate Change Declaration

Dubai, UAE, December 1, 2023 - for immediate release PRESS RELEASE COP28 Presidency puts food systems transformation on global climate agenda as more than 130 world leaders endorse Food and Agriculture Declaration A range of initiatives supporting food and climate...

read more
In Support of Peace

In Support of Peace

The GTEC Team wish to convey our deep and heartfelt concern regarding the violence occurring in Gaza, the West Bank and in Israel. We are in support of non-violent political negotiation directed towards a mutually agreed to solution, and express solidarity with all...

read more
Climate Change Update

Climate Change Update

Canada The federal government of Canada is not on track to meet the 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below the 2005 level by 2030. While the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan included important mitigation measures to reduce emissions, some of...

read more
Not Too Late Book Club

Not Too Late Book Club

The not-too-late book club, introduced by Brian Williams, is about to begin reading another book on the climate crisis. The book club is just wrapping up reading the book, Not Too Late, edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua. GTEC Reader subscribers and...

read more
Polycrisis

Polycrisis

This article was originally published in Vox, a news and opinion website on Oct 18, 2023 and is re-published by GTEC with the permission of the author. Why so much is going wrong at the same time Lots of things are going wrong. Does that make it a polycrisis? By...

read more
Highlights of a Wildfire Interview

Highlights of a Wildfire Interview

by Ross Thrasher Highlights of an Interview by Mary Kean with Wildland Fire Ecologist, Bob Gray in the GTEC Reader (Sept. 2023) Since the release of the Filmon Report, a B.C. royal commission in response to the Okanagan fires of 2003, the extent of wildfires in this...

read more
Smoke Inhalation as a Fossil Fuel Subsidy

Smoke Inhalation as a Fossil Fuel Subsidy

This Op-Ed by Linda Thyer and Arden Henley, was originally published in the Vancouver Sun, August 29, 2023. Opinion: The smoke in the air that impairs our health and compromises our capacity to breathe is a form of subsidizing the fossil fuel industry Here we are on...

read more
Reduce the Effects of Climate Change – Poll

Reduce the Effects of Climate Change – Poll

You’re doing it wrong: Recycling and other myths about tackling climate change Washington Post, August 28, 2023 A slim majority of Americans think their individual actions can reduce the effects of climate change, according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland...

read more

The GTEC Board of Directors

Arden Henley

Executive Director

Arden HenleyArden Henley is the former Vice President of CityU Canada and a founder of the CityU counselling programs. Previously he was the Director of White Rock Family Therapy Institute, the Director of Clinical Services at Peace Arch Community Services, and the Executive Director of the South Okanagan Children’s Services Society. He is a former Advisor to the Provincial Counsellor Education Task Force and the former Chair of the Board of the BC College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners. Dr. Henley has a B.A. from McMaster University, an M.A. from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, U.S.A and a Doctorate in Education from Simon Fraser University.

Terry Stone

DIRECTOR

Terry StoneAn enthusiastic professional with more than 20 years experience in Business ownership, Management and Marketing, Terry is passionate about respecting our planet and people. An avid wilderness junkie, he loves the saying “leave only footprints and take only pictures”. He has enjoyed working in fitness & rehabilitation, life safety, green-building, alternative energy, and sustainability. Still searching for the way he can make a large impact, he offers GTEC — critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic planning.

Norman Sam

CHAIR

Norman SamFormally educated at BCIT and UBC in Management and Finance, Norman’s careers and businesses continue to span the spectrum from corporate wellness to real estate development and technology start-up in the climate tech sector. Complementing these activities, Norman has also volunteered extensively with various non-profit and community service organizations. The common narrative among this diverse range of activities is a passion and desire to make his community and the world a better place.

Todd McGowan

SECRETARY

Todd McGowanTodd McGowan is an education leader, outdoor adventurer and sustainability specialist. He lived and worked in Ethiopia helping design and implement English language teacher trainings in the Southern Region of the country. He was the Education Director and part of the design team for a 430-acre sustainable community development in Sechelt, BC that combined lifelong learning (including an international high school), senior living, agriculture, affordable housing, an eco-adventure park, an artisan community and a waterfront village along with vast greenspace and trail networks. The development aspired to be the most sustainable community in North America and support the 7 dimensions of wellness: Social, Emotional, Environmental, Spiritual, Physical, Occupational and Intellectual.

Neal Mutadi

DIRECTOR (ON LEAVE)

Neal MutadiDr. Neal Mutadi is the president of NCEA, an organization dedicated to quality education. He has worked in national & international assignments. He was an instructor at UBC & director of San Diego State & City University leadership programs in Canada. He also served as principal, director of education & deputy superintendent of schools in British Columbia. Neal has a doctorate from Brigham Young University & has published articles in leading American & Canadian educational magazines. He has been actively involved in community groups, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International & the Heart & Stroke Foundation. He has enjoyed the beauty of our planet through world travel. He is committed to collaborating with individuals & groups who are passionate about protecting our planet.

Mary Charleson

DIRECTOR

Mary CharlesonMary Charleson is a Marketing Speaker, Educator, and Strategist. She is the author of fiveminutemarketing.com Blog and weekly newsletter, featuring marketing tips for the time starved entrepreneur. Mary has two books: “Word of Mouth Mouse & Mobile” (2013) and “Five-Minute Marketing” (2010). She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Global Speakers Federation. Mary delivers keynotes and presentations for private companies, associations, and conferences.

Gerry Zipursky

DIRECTOR

Gerry ZipurskyGerry’s extensive career in Community Development and Community Leadership includes many years in the Neighborhood House movement in Vancouver working at Gordon Neighborhood House, Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House, as well as being the founding Executive Director of South Vancouver Neighborhood House. He was the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver for 22 years. Gerry has also been a consultant to a wide range of community organizations and Boards.

Mary Kean

DIRECTOR

Mary KeanMary Kean is a retired couple and family therapist, published poet and writer, and editor of The GTEC Reader. She has been on the Board of GTEC since its inception and is totally dedicated currently to stopping and even reversing the Climate Crisis for the benefit of future generations.

Alisa Kaletsky

DIRECTOR

Alisa KaletskyAlisa is a lawyer. Prior to practicing law she worked in research and spent time working and studying in Israel. She is passionate about animal rights and welfare and shifting our consumption away from animals to reduce the significant impact of animal agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions.

Linda Thyer

VICE-CHAIR

Linda ThyerLinda practises family and sport medicine on traditional Coast Salish territories with a focus on youth over the past 20 years. She is a founding member of Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast and is an active member of various medical, environmental and community organizations. She is grateful for the many nourishing and healing gifts of Mother Earth and works toward restoring health and peace for all.

Kim McLeod

TREASURER

Kim McLeodKim McLeod graduated from UBC with a degree in Physical Education. She worked in corporate health and wellness and then transitioned into high tech as a project manager/producer to develop a virtual personal trainer application. Passionate about all areas of healthy living she turned her focus to the built environment and completed a two-year program from Rosenheim Germany in building biology learning about sustainable healthy building design. With her expertise in research, sourcing, planning, and driving project execution, she applies building biology principles to both residential and commercial projects. A strong appreciation for nature, she thrives on trail runs, hikes, and skate skiing with family and friends.

Steve Conway

DIRECTOR

Steve Conway - DirectorDr. Steve Conway is the Mental Health and Wellness Director with the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC and is the former Vice President of City University in Canada. Steve has over 30 years experience providing mental health services and leadership in a wide range of settings with diverse populations and clinical issues. Steve holds a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and an MBA with a focus on leadership and teams. Steve is a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and has coach training in an ICF accredited program. For the previous 12 years, in addition to being a senior level leader, Steve has been a counselling therapist, leadership coach and consultant, workshop facilitator focusing on workplace mental health and leadership issues and a leadership fit to position assessment specialist.

Sapna Dayal

DIRECTOR

Sapna Dayal - GTEC Board of DirectorsSapna is a CPA, CA with over 25 years experience. A builder at heart, she’s currently part of the founding group at Brass Token, an independent video game development studio. From 2007 – 2015, she served as Executive Director of imagine1day, a non-profit which provides access to quality education for children throughout Ethiopia. Sapna also dedicated 15 years to a career in public accounting with KPMG LLP, and more recently with Smythe CPA, working across practice areas including assurance, corporate finance and international taxation, in Canada and Brazil. Sapna is overjoyed to add “mama” to her bio, having been blessed with the birth of her daughter in 2020.

Ranbir K. Banwait

DIRECTOR

Ranbir K Banwai - GTEC Board of DirectorsRanbir has a PhD in Asian Diaspora studies from Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on the physical, ethical and social implications of embodiment. Currently, she is exploring the relationship of food to identity: the ways in which we grow it, eat it, and share it with others, shapes & reveals who we are. Ranbir believes in the transformative power of dialogue in education, as we collectively imagine a better future together.

Raphael Gasc

DIRECTOR

Raphael Gasc, Board Member of the GTEC Green Technology Education CentreRaphael is a community-minded undergraduate student and outdoor industry professional with a fascination for wildlife and the natural spaces they inhabit. After nearly a decade of competition in the discipline of biathlon, he began his post-secondary studies in Kinesiology at Capilano University, where he also serves on the Senate and Student Union Board of Directors. He chose this major since it suited his devotion to transcending physical limits and promoting longevity. More recently, Raphael reoriented his concentration in Environmental Science, to follow his passion for Ecology. As an aspiring expert in this field, he hopes to assist the GTEC board in realizing its objectives by representing youth voices and keeping wildlife’s best interests in mind.

Green Technology Education Centre
c/o Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
2305 West 7th Ave
Vancouver, BC V6K 1Y4
Canada
604-317-4128
info@gteccanada.ca